FY 19 FFPr NOFO_3-14-2019 FINAL .pdf

FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE

Food Assistance Division

Office of Capacity Building and Development

FY 2019 Food Assistance Proposal

Guidance and Request for Applications

FOOD FOR PROGRESS PROGRAM (FFPr)

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO)

March 15, 2019

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Foreign Agricultural Service

Notice of Availability of Funds and Funding Opportunity Announcement for the USDA

Food for Progress program (FFPr)

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Request for Application

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: USDA-FAS-FFPR-19

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 10.606

DATES: Applications must be submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture

(USDA) through the Food Aid Information System (FAIS) by 5:00:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight

Time (EDT) by May 15, 2019. Applications received after this date will not be considered. The

USDA Foreign Agricultural Services (FAS) advises Applicants to begin the process early to allow time to address any information technology difficulties that may arise. There will be no exceptions to this application deadline. Please be advised that incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Refer to Part C Section 3 and Part D Section 2 for application requirements to make an application considered complete. Questions regarding this request for applications will be considered to the extent practicable and should be submitted to PPDED@fas.usda.gov.

Questions must be received no later than 5:00:00 P.M. EDT May 8, 2019. Responses will be posted on FAIS.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: FAS is soliciting applications for the FFPr program for Fiscal Year

(FY) 2019. FAS expects to award multiple cooperative agreements under FFPr, totaling up to

$155 million. Applications for cooperative agreements will be prioritized for the following countries and regions: Ethiopia, Indonesia, West Africa Regional, The Philippines, East African

Community and its member states, Venezuela1 and Paraguay. FAS priority thematic areas are:

specialty crops, sanitary and phytosanitary systems (SPS), and trade facilitation. FAS may also review submissions for non-prioritized countries. To fulfill its mandate under the Agriculture

Improvement Act of 2018, FAS will enter into cooperative agreements with eligible organizations to implement field-based projects which aim to improve agricultural production and expand trade of agricultural products in developing countries. This program provides for the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities. Programs are primarily funded through the sale of donated commodities within the foreign market where the program is implemented. Some

1 Country guidance for Venezuela will be issued at a later date (currently anticipated on or before March 30 th). The deadline for proposals for Venezuela will be adjusted based on the release date of the country guidance. Please check the Food Aid Information System for updates.”

https://apps.fas.usda.gov/fais/public examples of past projects have included: training farmers in improved animal and plant production, establishing and building capacity of agricultural cooperatives, providing microfinance to farmers, and developing agricultural value chains. FAS proposes these FFPr guidelines in accordance with 7 CFR § 1499.

NEW IN FY19

This year’s proposal submission changes are outlined below:

• Individualized NOFOs for Each Country: This year’s solicitation is an umbrella announcement containing separate NOFOs for each country. Applicants should specify which country/NOFO they are applying to and may submit more than one application.

Application instructions, award terms and conditions, scoring criteria, etc. are the same for each NOFO contained in this announcement with the exception of Venezuela, which will have a different deadline for proposal submissions. NOFO numbers can be found in Part A 4 and Appendix B.

• Page Limits: Please adhere to the following page limit guidance in Fiscal Year 2019 (FY

2019). Regional program proposals may have an additional three pages per section. If an application exceeds the limit for any section, the application will be reviewed, but the review will be restricted to the section’s page limit. If an application is missing any required section or form, the submitted proposal will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

o Introduction and Strategic Analysis: a maximum of fifteen (15) pages o Plan of Operations: a maximum of twenty (20) pages o Results Framework: a maximum of five (5) pages o Monitoring and Evaluation: a maximum of sixteen (16) pages

• Indicators: a maximum of four (4) pages

• Evaluation Plan: a maximum of twelve (12) pages o Organizational Capacity and Staffing: a maximum of seven (7) pages

• Organizational Capacity and Staffing: a maximum of three (3) pages

• Curriculum Vitae: a maximum of four (4) pages o Commodity Management: a maximum of three (3) pages o Summary Budget: a maximum of one (1) page o Budget Narrative: a maximum of twenty (20) pages

• Scoring: Please refer to the updated table of scoring and points in Table 2, Part E 1 Criteria.

Additionally, FAS will review and score Negative Factors and Positive Factors in FY 19.

Please refer to Part E 6 Negative Factors and 7 Positive Factors. Negative factors will be scored and can result in a maximum deduction of five points from the Applicant’s overall score. Positive factors will be scored and can result in a maximum bonus of five points added to the Applicant’s overall score.

Table 1 outlines the priority thematic areas for work and relevant priority sectors.

Priority Thematic Area

Priority Sectors

Country

Specialty Crops

Coffee Ethiopia

Spices Indonesia

Cashews West Africa Regional

SPS

Standards Philippines

Standards East African Community

Trade Facilitation Trade Facilitation Agreement Paraguay

Agricultural Recovery Venezuela

LIST OF ACRONYMS

AfCFTA African Continental Free Trade Area

CAGR Compounded Annual Growth Rate

CFDA Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CTMDA Coffee & Tea Development and Marketing Authority

CV Curriculum Vitae

DCFTA Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas

DTI Department of Trade and Industry (Philippines)

DUNS Data Universal Number System

EAC East African Community

ECX Ethiopian Commodities Exchange

EST Eastern Standard Time

FAD Food Assistance Division

FAIS Food Aid Information System

FAO United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization

FAS Foreign Agricultural Service

FFPr Food for Progress

FPMA Food Price Monitoring and Analysis Tool

FSN Food Safety Network

FY Fiscal Year

GAIN Global Agricultural Information Network

GAP Good Agricultural Practices

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GoE Government of Ethiopia

GoP Government of Paraguay

GoP Government of The Philippines

HACCP Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point

HVH High Value Horticulture

IR Intermediate Results

ITSH Internal Transport, Storage, and Handling

IPPC International Plant Protection Convention

JARC Jimma Agricultural Research Center

LDC Least-Developing Dountry

M & E Monitoring and Evaluation

MIFIRA Market Information and Food Insecurity Response Analysis

MRL Maximum Residue Levels

MT Metric Tons

MY Market Year

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

NICRA Negotiated Indirect Cost Recovery Agreement

NIFA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

NOFO Notice of Funding Opportunity

NTFC National Trade Facilitation Committee

OCBD Office of Capacity Building and Development

OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation

OIE World Organization for Animal Health

OMB Office of Management and Budget

PIN Personal Identification Number

PPP Private-Public Partnership

PMP Performance Monitoring Plan

PVO Private Voluntary Organization

R&R Rehabilitation and Renovation

RCT Randomized Control Trial

RF Results Framework

SAM System for Award Management

SCP Structure, Conduct and Performance Framework

SF Standard Form

SO Strategic Objective

SPS Sanitary and Phytosanitary Systems

TFA Trade Facilitation Agreement

UN United Nations

UNDP United National Development Programme

USAID United States Agency for International Development

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

USG United States Government

USTR Office of the United States Trade Representative

WB World Bank

WTO World Trade Organization

Table of Contents

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. Issued By

2. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number and Title

3. Notice of Funding Opportunity Title

4. Notice of Funding Opportunity Number

5. Authorizing Authority for Program

6. Apropriation Authority for Program

7. Program Type

8. Program Regulations

9. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Award Amounts

2. Period of Performance

3. Extensions

4. Funding Instrument

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Eligibility Criteria

3. Other Submission Requirements and Information

4. Cost Share or Matching Requirements

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Application Format

b. Required Sections and Forms

c. Content Guidance Attachment A: Introduction and Strategic Analysis (15 pages)

Attachment B: Plan of Operation and Activities (20 pages) Attachment C: Results Framework and Monitoring and Evaluation (21 pages) Attachment D: Commodity Management (3 pages)

Attachment E: Organizational Capacity and Staffing (3 pages, plus 4 pages for CV) Attachment F: Budget (21 pages)

• Requirements to be Submitted in the Food Aid Information System (FAIS)

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

4. Submission Dates and Times

5. Intergovernmental Review

6. Funding Restrictions

7. Other Submission Requirements

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. Review of Integrity and Performance Information

4 Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Date

5. Non-Responsiveness Criteria

6. Negative Factors

7. Positive Factors

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notices

2. Administration and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

4. Pre-Award Costs

5. Negotiations

6. Audit Compliance

7. Monitoring

8. Other Requirements of Performance

9. Program Income

G. AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

1. Contact and Resource Information

2. Hours of Operation

3. Address

4. Phone, Fax, Email

H. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. Proprietary Information

2. Extensions

3. Prior Approval

4. Program Income

5. Budget Revisions

APPENDIX A - Application Content Checklist

APPENDIX B – Country Specific Guidance

Thematic Area: Cashew Value Chain

Thematic Area: Coffee

Thematic Area: Spices

Thematic Area: Sanitary and Phytosanitary Systems

Thematic Area: Sanitary and Phytosanitary Systems

Thematic Area: Trade Facilitation Agreement

APPENDIX C – Budget Summary

APPENDIX D – Budget Narrative Instructions

APPENDIX E – Food For Progress Results Frameworks and Illustrative Examples of

Foundational Results

APPENDIX F – Manual For The Use Of Results Frameworks

APPENDIX G – Food for Progress Standard Indicators

APPENDIX - H USDA Monitoring and Evaluation Policy

APPENDIX I

USDA Standard Terms and Conditions for Public International Organizations

APPENDIX J -- Standard Terms and Conditions for Foreign Organizations

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. Issued By

Foreign Agricultural Service, Office of Capacity Building and Development, Food

Assistance Division

2. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number and Title

10.606 USDA Food for Progress Program

3. Notice of Funding Opportunity Title

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD FOR PROGRESS

PROGRAM

4. Notice of Funding Opportunity Number

Country-Specific NOFO Numbers

USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-19-641 – West Africa Regional

USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-19-663 -- Ethiopia

USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-19-497 -- Indonesia

USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-19-618 – East Africa Regional

USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-19-492 -- Philippines

USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-19-526 -- Paraguay

USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-19-529 -- Venezuela

Please refer to Appendix B for country specific guidance.

5. Authorizing Authority for Program

The Food for Progress (FFPr) Program is authorized in section 1100 of the Food for

Progress Act of 1985, 7 USC 1736o as amended by the Agriculture Improvement Act of

2018 Public Law 115-334.

6. Apropriation Authority for Program

The Food for Progress (FFPr) Program is given appropriation authority in section 1100 of the Food for Progress Act of 1985, 7 USC 1736o as amended by the Agriculture

Improvement Act 2018, P.L. 115-334

7. Program Type

Continuation

8. Program Regulations

Awards made within this funding opportunity will be subject to 7 CFR 1499 and 2 CFR

200 as adopted by 2 CFR 400. The regulations (7 CFR § 1499) supporting FFPr were issued on July 1, 2016. These regulations are currently being revised in accordance with the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.

9. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

The FFPr program has two principal objectives: to improve agricultural productivity and to expand trade of agricultural products. The FFPr program provides for the donation of U.S.

agricultural commodities to developing countries and emerging democracies committed to introducing and expanding free enterprise in the agricultural sector. The commodities are generally sold on the local market and the proceeds are used to support agricultural development activities.

FFPr has developed a strategy that addresses three priority issues: Sanitary and

Phytosanitary (SPS) standards, Trade Facilitation in support of the Trade Facilitation

Agreement (TFA), and Specialty Crops (Spices, Cashews, Coffee, and Cacao). FFPr’s annual prioritization process is grounded in these key objectives. For each annual Notice of Funding Opportunity, FFPr will release a list of priority countries and/or regions which represent the best investment opportunities to address priority issues and meet FFPr’s principal strategic objectives.

FFPr will conduct annual data-informed analyses to identify countries or geographic regions in each priority area. Coordinated, well-defined program investments in key priority areas and sectors will result in measurable, scalable, and sustainable impacts. This approach formalizes the country and sector prioritization process and will concentrate FFPr investments in a few key focus areas.

In addition, the Global Food Security Act of 2016 and corresponding U.S. Government

Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS) affirms the United States’ commitment to ending global hunger, poverty, and child malnutrition. Where appropriate, entities are encouraged to align proposed interventions with the objectives found in the GFSS and are required to ensure that proposed activities are complementary and not duplicative.

Proposals must demonstrate how the requested amount of funding will achieve the most cost-effective use of the funds in supporting and achieving the key objectives of the proposed project.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Award Amounts http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=4c2c800138711d50775161c3c22e6885&mc=true&node=pt7.10.1590&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=4c2c800138711d50775161c3c22e6885&mc=true&node=pt7.10.1590&rgn=div5 https://cofasonline.fas.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2016-10/u.s._government_global_food_security_strategy_fy17-21.pdf

Anticipated Funding: Up to $155 million (total) in FY 2019.

The FFPr Program anticipates making between six and seven awards ranging between $8 and $25 million each. Please refer to Appendix B Country Guidance for specific budget ranges. Issuance of this solicitation does not constitute an award or commitment on the part of the U.S. Government (USG) to make awards, nor does it commit the USG to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a concept note or full application.

2. Period of Performance

All awards will be fully funded up front for up to five years. FAS seeks proposals for a five-year implementation period, unless otherwise indicated under Country Specific

Guidance.

Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 10/01/2019

Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/30/2024

3. Extensions

Food for Progress Program awards may be eligible for extensions to their period of performance. Refer to Part H 2 Extensions.

4. Funding Instrument

All awards will be made in the form of cooperative agreements as a result of this solicitation (2 CFR § 200.24). In a cooperative agreement, FAS will be substantially involved throughout the award implementation period. Substantial involvement may include, but is not limited to, the following:

• FAS specifies the manner, method, performance, or timing of the work in an approved work plan;

• FAS review and approval of one stage of work before a subsequent stage may begin during the performance period;

• FAS review and approval of an evaluation plan;

• FAS review and approval of a monetization plan;

• FAS review and approval of proposed sub-grants and contracts, prior to award;

• FAS participation in the selection and approval of the individuals or organizations that will conduct all required evaluations;

• FAS participation in data collection and analysis for required evaluations and other performance reports;

• FAS approval of an organizational chart identifying the names, roles and responsibilities of all of the Applicant’s key personnel and any subsequent changes or absences; and

• FAS provision of specific direction or redirection of the work during the period of performance.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

In accordance with FFPr Regulations (7 CFR § 1499.3(a)) a private voluntary organization, a nonprofit agricultural organization or cooperative, a nongovernmental organization, or any other private entity is eligible to submit an application to become an Applicant under

FFPr. See 7 CFR 1499.2 for the definition of a private voluntary organization. In accordance with the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, public and non-profit college and universities are also eligible to submit an application under FFPr.

2. Eligibility Criteria

a. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

Refer to Part D 3 where SAM requirements are also discussed.

Each Applicant, unless excepted under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by USDA-FAS under 2 CFR § 25.110(d), is required to: (i) be registered in

SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in the application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which the Applicant has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by FAS. Applicants without an active SAM registration will be found ineligible and the application will not be considered for funding. All subrecipient organizations must also have active SAM registrations before the subaward is signed.

Applicants must include a valid data universal number system (DUNS) number in the organizational unit section of Block 8 of the SF-424. All proposed subrecipients listed in the proposal must have a current DUNS number. Organizations that do not have a

DUNS number can obtain a DUNS number at no cost by using the web-based form available at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.

Instructions for registering in SAM can be found at https://www.sam.gov. After initial registration in SAM the Applicant is required to review and update the registration every 12 months from the date of initial registration to ensure the information is accurate.

Applicants registering in SAM are encouraged to register early. The registration process can take approximately four weeks to be completed.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://www.sam.gov/

Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission deadlines.

Effective as of June 2017, you can no longer access the System for Award Management

(SAM) using Internet Explorer (IE) Versions older than IE11. You either need to upgrade to an Internet Explorer version of IE11 or higher, or access SAM with another supported browser type (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc).

Each Applicant must have an active registration in SAM prior to the closing date of the announcement.

b. Debarment and Suspension

An entity (including subcontractors, subapplicants and key personnel) will be considered ineligible if the entity has been designated by the United States Government

(USG) as debarred or suspended in USG funded procurements or otherwise prohibited by applicable U.S. law or executive order or U.S. policies. FAS will review, inter alia:

i. U.S. State Department, Terrorist Exclusion List:

http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/123086.htm

ii. U.S. Department of Treasury, Specially Designated Nationals List:

http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/SDN-

List/Pages/default.aspx

iii. General Services Administration, System for Award Management (SAM):

http://www.sam.gov

iv. All Applicants and sub-Applicants must comply with the conflict of interest requirements in 2 CFR § 400.2.

3. Other Submission Requirements and Information

An Applicant must submit all required sections and forms as listed in Part D 2 b Required

Sections to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered. There is no limit on the number of applications which an Applicant may submit.

4. Cost Share or Matching Requirements

Cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not required for eligibility, but is encouraged. Applicants must identify and explain any cost sharing in the budget summary and narrative (7 CFR § 1499.4(b)(4)(i)). Applicants should include cost share and in-kind contributions as part of the total award value on the SF-424 and other required budget documents. If an award is made, the Applicant will be responsible for obtaining these resources. Award Applicants shall not procure these resources with FAS funding.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/123086.htm http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/SDN-List/Pages/default.aspx http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/SDN-List/Pages/default.aspx http://www.sam.gov/

1. Address to Request Application Package

This NOFO and instructions for submitting the application can be located on the FAIS home page (https://apps.fas.usda.gov/fais/public). This document is also located on

Grants.gov at www.grants.gov. However, your application must be submitted via FAIS.

If an Applicant does not have access to the Internet or experiences trouble accessing the home page, the Applicant should contact FAS in writing at 1400 Independence Ave.

SW, Room 4159, Washington, DC 20250 or by calling (202) 720-9059 between 9:00

A.M. and 5:00 P.M. EDT to request the NOFO application and instructions via mail.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Application Format

Applications submitted must:

• Be written in English;

• Be written using Times New Roman, 12 point font;

• Be written with 1-inch margins;

• Be paginated with each page consecutively numbered;

• Cite source information and/or provide an explanation of the analysis undertaken;

• Adhere to page limits: adhere to the following page limit guidance in FY 2019.

Regional program proposals have an additional three pages per section. If an application exceeds the limit for any section, the application will be reviewed, but the review will be restricted to the section’s page limit. If an application is missing any required section or form, the submitted proposal will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

o Introduction and Strategic Analysis: a maximum of fifteen (15) pages o Plan of Operations: a maximum of twenty (20) pages o Results Framework: a maximum of five (5) pages o Monitoring and Evaluation: a maximum of sixteen (16) pages

• Indicators: a maximum of four (4) pages

• Evaluation Plan: a maximum of twelve (12) pages o Organizational Capacity and Staffing: a maximum of seven (7) pages

• Organizational Capacity and Staffing: a maximum of three (3) pages

• Curriculum Vitae: a maximum of four (4) pages o Commodity Management: a maximum of three (4) pages o Summary Budget: a maximum of one (1) page o Budget Narrative: a maximum of twenty (20) pages http://www.grants.gov/

Note: If an application exceeds the limit for any section, the application will be reviewed, but the review will be restricted to the section’s page limit.

b. Required Sections and Forms

Each application must include the following sections and forms to be considered complete:

• Introduction and Strategic Analysis;

• Plan of Operation and Activities;

• Results Framework and Monitoring and Evaluation o Results Framework o Indicators o Evaluation Plan

• Commodity Management;

• Organizational Capacity and Staffing;

o Organizational Chart o Curriculum Vitae o In-Country Registration o Past Performance Records o Audited Financial Statements (outside of page limit restrictions)

• Budget;

o Standard Budget Summary o Budget Narrative o Applicant’s most recent Single Audit (if applicable) (outside of page limit restrictions) o Applicant’s most recent approved NICRA agreement (outside of page limit restrictions)

• USDA AD-3030

• USDA AD-3031

• USDA AD-1047 or USDA AD-1048 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension (depending on organization type)

• USDA AD-1049, USDA AD-1050, or USDA AD-1052 Certificate Regarding

Drug Free Workplace Requirements (depending on organization type)

• SF-424 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

• SF-424B https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

• The Certification Regarding Lobbying. If paragraph two of the certification applies, then complete and submit the SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying.

• Project-specific commitment letters from anticipated subrecipients (if subrecipients are proposed).

Applications that do not provide the required information outlined within this

NOFO will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for funding. All https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/AD_3030_2_0-V2.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/AD_3031_1_1-V1.1.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/AD_1047-V1.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/AD_1048-V1.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/AD_1049-V1.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/AD_1050-V1.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/AD_1052-V1.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5413566.pdf https://www.gsa.gov/Forms/TrackForm/33144

Applicants must refer to and follow the FFPr regulations, 7 CFR § 1499.4, as well as the guidance within this notice. Further details can be found in the Content Guidance section below. An Application Content Checklist can be found in Appendix A.

Applicants should review the FAS guidance for each of these sections, which requires data input directly into FAIS or submission as an attachment.

Please be aware that OMB Memorandum 18-24: Strategies to Reduce Grant Recipient

Reporting Burden has been approved. After January 1, 2020, the following forms will need to be completed in SAM on an annual basis and will no longer be required to be submitted as part of your application package:

• USDA AD-3030

• USDA AD-3031

• USDA AD-1047 or USDA AD-1048 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension (depending on organization type)

• USDA AD-1049, USDA AD-1050, or USDA AD-1052 Certificate Regarding

Drug Free Workplace Requirements (depending on organization type)

• SF-424B https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

• The Certification Regarding Lobbying. If paragraph two of the certification applies, then complete and submit the SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying.

c. Content Guidance

All FFPr proposals must include the following, either entered into FAIS or included as an attachment:

Attachments

Attachment A: Introduction and Strategic Analysis (15 pages)

This section must include a comprehensive analysis of the existing needs, challenges, value chain sector opportunities, and constraints that may impact the implementation of a project in the recipient country(s), including those related to climate resilience. This section should explain the strategy behind the method of intervention to alleviate the sector needs and how the project will implement this strategy through the activities. This section should include the Applicant’s analysis and cite sources. Applicants should also identify the targeted beneficiaries and geographical regions, how and why they were selected, the specific needs of the targeted population, and explain how the Applicant will target specific geographical regions under the proposed project. Applicants should also outline how the project will coordinate with other stakeholders (host government, USG, other donors, private sector, etc.) and will complement and not duplicate their current activities.

https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/AD_3030_2_0-V2.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/AD_3031_1_1-V1.1.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/AD_1047-V1.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/AD_1048-V1.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/AD_1049-V1.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/AD_1050-V1.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/AD_1052-V1.0.pdf https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5413566.pdf https://www.gsa.gov/Forms/TrackForm/33144

Attachment B: Plan of Operation and Activities (20 pages)

Activities should be described in the Plan of Operation. The descriptions should include the targeted geographic area, anticipated beneficiaries, the steps included in implementation, and the anticipated completion date. This section should include an in-depth description of each activity, and how each activity will be implemented and lead to the identified project-level results. It is important to show how the activities will address the needs as identified in the strategic analysis (see above in attachment A Strategic Analysis). The applicant should also show how their plan of operation complements existing efforts by USDA, other agencies/donors and public private partnerships. Thus, the section should distinguish which activities will be implemented only by the Applicant, and those that will be implemented in a coordinated approach with other partners.

Attachment C: Results Framework and Monitoring and Evaluation (21 pages)

Results Framework [5 page limit]:

All Applicants are required to submit a Project-Level Results Framework (RF). The RF submitted as part of the application process should be no more than 5 pages. A results framework has two components:

• A graphical representation of the project’s theory of change, describing the cause-and-effect linkages outlined in the strategic analysis. This must clearly identified and articulate how the proposed project will contribute to USDA Food Assistance

Program results frameworks, as shown in Appendix E – Food for Progress Results

Framework. The Project-Level Results Framework should:

o Serve as a graphical representation of the set of intermediate results (IR) that must be attained in order to achieve the highest-level result (Strategic

Objective (SO)).

o Use the FFPr Program-Level RFs as the basis of their Project-Level RFs.

When constructing a Project-Level RF, Applicants should include all activities and results that the proposed project will address. Projects are not required to reach every result in the Program-Level RFs, and proposals reaching more results will not be prioritized over those reaching less.

Rather, proposals will be evaluated on how well they address, through the results framework, identified needs. However, applicants should not eliminate mid-level results when including low and high-level results in their Project-Level RFs. Additionally, Applicants may add results that are not included in the Program-Level RFs to their Project-Level RFs if their strategic analysis justifies why the additional result is included.

o Be constructed of components that are:

i. Statements of result, not a process or activity

ii. Uni-dimensional, generally one element per result statement

iii. Precise and clearly understood without having to look at indicators or other project documents for definition

iv. Measurable and objectively verifiable so that it can be monitored and used for management purposes o Identify intermediate results which are necessary and sufficient to achieve the SO.

o Identify which results are being targeted by the proposed project and which are being targeted by another organization. In such cases where results are being targeted by another organization, the strategic analysis should identify a strong and realistic relationship between the project and external partner, especially with results that are strategic to achieving the highest level results.

o Provide a framework that can be effectively monitored, analyzed, reported on, and evaluated in a manner that supports the methodology outlined in the evaluation plan.

• A narrative text that, referring to existing research that supports the proposed causal linkages, accomplishes the following:

o Provides a cause-and-effect theory of change often referring to existing research o Identify critical assumptions that support the theory of change. Critical assumptions are external conditions that are necessary for success of the project, but over which the project implementers have little or no control.

While assumptions regarding macroeconomic and climatic stability are important, this section should emphasize the critical assumptions activity-specific critical assumptions that support the theory of change. Critical assumptions that have a high-probability of occurring and, if realized, will prohibit the project from achieving its desired results are defined as “killer assumptions.” This section should identify killer assumptions and demonstrate how the project design either avoids killer assumptions or mitigates their impact.

o Sustainability and Lasting Impact: Proposals should provide a convincing argument that the project’s Theory of Change will not only achieve the intermediate and highest-level results described above, but that these results will be sustained beyond project completion. The sustainability argument should acknowledge relevant microeconomic, business, management, international development, and agronomic theory and practice.

Finally, the results framework should reflect sound, causal thinking. The project logic should follow a chain of cause and effect relationships. This includes activities that lead to specific outputs which lead to initial results or intermediate results which lead to the strategic objective(s) of the project. There should be no significant causal gaps or large leaps from one level in the causal hierarchy to the next. Proposed activities should be sufficient to achieve the identified results. If activities do not align with results, these should be reconsidered and the budget should be revised to include activities that directly support results.

For additional information on Results Oriented Management in FAS’s food assistance programs, see Appendix F - Manual for the Use of Results Frameworks.

Monitoring and Evaluation (16 pages)

Applicants must provide a table identifying appropriate project standard and custom performance indicators and annual and life of project targets. Applicants must also provide an evaluation plan that explains how the Applicant proposes to monitor the program and assess project outcomes and impact.

Indicators [4 page limit]

Applicants must identify and submit a table of both standard and custom performance indicators and annual and life of project targets for each indicator. Performance indicators identify how to recognize the success of the project and help to clarify results. Applicants should include, at a minimum, these columns in the table: Performance Indicator, Standard or Custom, Baseline Value, Year 1 Target, Year 2 Target, Year X Target (number to correspond to number of years in the project), and Life of Project Target. The table should include columns for annual targets for each year of the project (Year 1, Year 2, Year X, etc.). The indicator table submitted as part of the application process should be no more than four pages.

If an application includes an activity that has a corresponding FFPR standard indicator, the

Applicant must include that FFPR standard indicator. Furthermore, Applicants must propose corresponding custom indicators to measure project performance. FAS does not require a specific number of indicators, however the proposed indicators should be sufficient for monitoring the proposed project’s performance. Each project performance indicator must meet a basic level of standard. As defined in the Food Aid Division

Monitoring and Evaluation Policy, high-quality performance indicators should be direct, objective, adequate, and practical. Data must be gender disaggregated, and gender impacts should be included in the overall analysis of the project results. The Applicant must use effective and efficient mechanisms to monitor progress and determine success of the activities. FAS expects awarded Applicants to be innovative and creative in their efforts to capture, document, and report all the outcomes of the program.

Please see Appendix G for standard indicator definition sheets.

If an award is made, the Applicant will be required to submit a full performance monitoring plan (PMP), which will include additional detail and information regarding indicator definitions, units of measurement, data sources, frequency of data collection, roles and responsibility for data collection, and how and when the data will be used. During agreement negotiation, Applicants will also be responsible for describing how the project will ensure and maintain the quality of monitoring data collected by field staff/monitors through the analysis and reporting process. Criteria, defined in the Food Aid Division

Monitoring and Evaluation Policy, for assessing data such as accuracy, validity, reliability, timeliness, and integrity must be considered. Applicants should detail the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) process to be undertaken to verify and validate the data collected.

Evaluation Plan [12 page limit]

According to 7 CFR § 1499.13(d), all Applicants must, as provided in the agreement, submit to FAS an interim and final evaluation of the implementation of the agreement.

Applicants must also submit baseline data for performance monitoring indicators and a baseline report. Final evaluations must be conducted by an independent third party that:

• Is financially and legally separate from the Applicant's organization;

• Employs staff with demonstrated knowledge, analytical capability, language skills and experience in conducting evaluations of development programs involving agriculture, nutrition, or procurement and logistics projects;

• Utilizes acceptable analytical frameworks such as comparison with non-project areas, surveys, involvement of stakeholders in the evaluation, and statistical analyses;

• Employs local consultants, as appropriate, to conduct portions of the evaluation;

and

• Provides a detailed outline of the evaluation, major tasks, and specific schedules prior to initiating the evaluation.

Applicants must submit a draft evaluation plan as an attachment. Each evaluation plan should include a comprehensive approach to evaluating the project’s performance and impact. All FFPr projects must include, as part of their evaluation plan, key evaluation questions that aim to assess the project’s effect on the strategic objectives of the FFPr program. The evaluation plan should be developed as a stand-alone document that can be shared with key project partners, stakeholders, and the public. The evaluation plan submitted as part of the application process should be no more than 12 pages (excluding annexes). The Applicant must include an evaluation plan that includes, at a minimum, the following information:

• Executive Summary

Provide a brief description of the purpose of the evaluation plan and how it will be used by the project, its partners, and key stakeholders.

• Project Overview

Provide a summary description of the project strategy including the project strategic objectives and expected results. The project-level RF can be referenced here and the overview should provide a brief description of the project activities and corresponding targeted project beneficiaries. The project overview will provide important context to the evaluation plan and methodology proposed.

• Alignment with the Food for Progress Learning Agenda

Review the Food for Progress Learning Agenda. The Learning Agenda was designed to address key research and evaluation questions that align not only with the theory of change outlined in the Food for Progress program-level Results Framework, but also the broader agricultural development program theory. Recognizing that some questions posed in the Learning Agenda lend themselves to broad research, the project-level evidence developed in the course of implementing an FFPr project can contribute to building the evidence base for many of the questions. Applicants must include a short section in their evaluation plan explaining which questions in the Learning Agenda their proposed evaluations and/or special studies will help answer, and how.

• Baseline Study

Baseline data will be collected for two purposes: (1) to measure progress on performance indicators and (2) to assess project outcomes and impacts using evaluation methods. The evaluation plan should provide a description of the organization’s plan to establish performance indicator, baseline information, and targets for which the project will regularly measure performance every six months of the fiscal year in required progress reports. The baseline information for performance indicators and evaluation assessments must be measured and established prior to the start of project activities.

Applicants should also describe data collection techniques and methodologies proposed for establishing baseline information for evaluation activities. The evaluation plan should describe the quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods that will be used throughout the length of the project (i.e. an evaluation design may include a randomized control trial (RCT), propensity score matching (PSM) design, repeat cross-sectional designs, or panel studies, and also may include direct observations, key informant interviews, and secondary data analysis). These methodologies should be described in detail, including sample design, expected sample sizes, and key informants. The methodological description of the baseline should also be linked to the final evaluation. For example, the evaluation plan should describe in detail if the project plans to use a PSM design with data collected at the baseline and final stages.

https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/resources/food-progress-learning-agenda

• Midterm Evaluation

Provide a description of the project’s midterm evaluation strategy and activities.

The evaluation plan should identify the purpose and scope of the evaluation, preliminary key evaluation questions, methodology, selection of the evaluation team, and key audience for the evaluation. These questions should be organized according to standard evaluation criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and impact. The evaluation plan should include a timeline for the conduct of key evaluation activities and a description of how the project plans to utilize the evaluation findings and recommendations.

• Final Evaluation

Provide a description of the project’s final evaluation strategy and activities. The evaluation plan should identify the purpose and scope of the evaluation, preliminary key evaluation questions, methodology, and the key audience for the evaluation. The evaluation questions should be organized according to standard evaluation criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and impact. The evaluation plan should describe the methodology selected and the strengths and weaknesses in the proposed methodology for measuring impact and assessing attribution. The evaluation plan should include a timeline for the conduct of key evaluation activities and address issues of independence, coordination, and the use of participatory methods. The evaluation plan must include a description of the expected qualifications of the evaluation team and provide a list of key stakeholders.

• Special Studies (where applicable)

Proposals may include plans to conduct special studies focused on a particular intervention, sector, or thematic area that may aid in identifying project effectiveness, impact, or lessons learned complementary to the required final evaluation. Proposals may also conduct qualitative or anthropologic studies that help to triangulate evaluation information, provide context to evaluation findings, or offer a better understanding of evaluation findings.

• Evaluation Management

Proposals must describe an evaluation management structure that reflects standards and principles of evaluation, independence, and credibility. If the Applicant maintains an evaluation unit, FAS requires that the evaluation is managed by the Applicant’s evaluation unit. If the Applicant does not have a dedicated evaluation unit, the review should be managed by a project staff person or the Applicant organizational staff person with significant knowledge and expertise concerning evaluation. Ideally, the

Applicant will maintain an evaluation unit that is separated from the staff or line management function of the project being evaluated. Such a structure helps to ensure the independence and impartiality of the evaluation process and report of findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

The evaluation plan should also address the roles and responsibilities of the project partners and key stakeholders throughout the evaluation process. Additionally, the evaluation plan should address the regular review and updating of the evaluation plan throughout the life of the agreement, and should describe the project’s dissemination strategy for improving the knowledge base and sharing evaluation findings and lessons learned. More detailed descriptions of the roles and responsibilities of the Applicant’s

M&E staff should be included in the staffing plan and organizational chart as described in Attachment E.

• Evaluation Budget

An evaluation budget is directly related to the purpose, scope, timeline, and approach of the evaluation (includes all baseline and final evaluations). An evaluation budget is dependent on the required skills and expertise, specified deliverables, and any provisions provided by the evaluation commissioners. Costs vary considerably across evaluations--typical budget line items for evaluation include:

o Costs for third-party evaluation contractors;

o Costs associated with the development of a beneficiary monitoring system or data collection equipment and tools; and o Other costs for translators, data processors, meeting space, and support staff.

The Food Aid Division Monitoring and Evaluation Policy (Appendix H) states that

Applicants should include key monitoring and evaluation personnel in labor costs.

Applicants must allocate, at a minimum, three percent (3%) of the project budget towards monitoring and evaluation. The three percent minimum is exclusive of organization monitoring and evaluation staff salaries and staff travel. Design of monitoring databases, database licenses, infrastructure for data collection such as tablets, and external contracts for evaluations and special studies are typically included in the three percent minimum. Cost share is not included in the project budget when determining the three percent minimum. For evaluation plans which include conducting impact evaluations, FAS expects costs to range between five to ten percent

(5% - 10%) of the project budget.

Evaluation budget information should be included as described in Appendix D 2:

Administrative.

Attachment D: Commodity Management (3 pages)

The funding for this award is predicated on the sale of U.S. agricultural commodities within the recipient country, and the ability to manage the monetization of commodities is an essential element of successfully implementing a Food for Progress award. An

Applicant must include documentation on the selected commodity(ies) and the potential costs and benefits of the sale to the local economy. The proposal should document the appropriateness of the commodity(ies), and demonstrate that the type and quantity will not disrupt commercial sales or create disincentives for local production. In addition, the

Applicant should describe the local demand for the selected commodity and how this will impact the cost recovery for the sale of the donated commodity(ies). In this section, Applicants should be able to demonstrate that an appropriate level of market analysis has been performed to determine the selected commodity.

Applicants should include a thorough plan for commodity monetization including specific country concerns, including: customs exemptions, import barriers, tariffs, port and warehousing capacity, handling concerns, packaging, etc. Information on payment terms, e.g., letter of credit, specific to the proposed country of monetization should be presented and justified.

Applicants that have experience successfully monetizing commodities should include information relevant to their capacity. If there is no prior experience, Applicants should describe their proposed plans to hire an experienced agent to perform this element of the award.

Commodity List

Each proposal must include information on the commodities requested. Applicants must complete the following required information.

• Commodity

• Package Size/Type

• Commodity Usage Type: Select monetization to specify how the commodity will be used. Barter and Food for Work are also options, but are considered extraordinary.

• Quantity…